Don’t Kill That Bee!

Sometime last week as I was splashing around in the pool, I noticed that several bees had become stranded on the water’s surface. As I came across them I would gingerly remove them to the pool deck to dry and fly away. My father-in-law was visiting, and was also in the pool. I saw that he had spotted a bee and pursued it with somewhat less empathy. I shouted across the pool, “Don’t kill that bee!”

As I climbed up on my soapbox, I proceeded to impart all my knowledge of the importance of honeybees (and all pollinators) to the continuation of human life on earth. By the time I was finished, you would have thought that we all owed our very existence to this one, unassuming little insect. And that may well be true.

But the conversation had a much more philosophical impact as well. It highlighted the delicate balance of nature and the true insignificance of man. We may think we have the ability to control our environment, but this chapter of life on earth is but a fleeting moment in the history of existence. Everything we do – every decision we make – impacts the length of this chapter.

If we all chose just one thing that we would passionately preach and practice, we could stretch out the chapter of humanity just a wee bit farther. There’s so much from which to choose: GMOs, plastic bags, fossil fuels, pesticides, nuclear power …  What’s the foundation for your soapbox? Please share your passion in the comments.

More from Cherri:

10 Tips for Earth-Friendly Travel